Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey facts for kids

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Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

Borough

Strauss Mansion

Seal

Location of Atlantic Highlands in Monmouth County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Monmouth County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).

Census Bureau map of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey

Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

Location in New Jersey

Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

Location in the United States

February 28, 1887

Location overlooking Atlantic Ocean

Government

• Type

Borough

• Body

Borough Council

Area

• Total

4.56 sq mi (11.82 km²)

• Land

1.26 sq mi (3.27 km²)

• Water

3.30 sq mi (8.54 km²) 72.35%

Area rank

282nd of 565 in state
20th of 53 in county

Elevation

266 ft (81 m)

Population

(2020)

• Total

4,414

• Estimate

(2023)

4,383

• Rank

399th of 565 in state
36th of 53 in county

• Density

3,491.9/sq mi (1,348.2/km²)

• Density rank

195th of 565 in state
21st of 53 in county

Time zone

UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))

• Summer (DST)

UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))

ZIP Code

07716

Area codes

732 exchanges: 291, 708, 872

FIPS code

3402502110

GNIS feature ID

0885143

Atlantic Highlands is a small town, called a borough, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It is part of the beautiful Bayshore Region. In 2020, about 4,414 people lived there.

Atlantic Highlands is home to Mount Mitchill. This is the highest point on the eastern coast of the U.S. south of Maine. It rises about 266 feet (81 meters) above the sea. The town got its name because it sits high up, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Atlantic Highlands became an official borough on February 28, 1887. This happened after people voted for it. It was formed from parts of Middletown Township. The borough was made official again on September 1, 1891.

This town was part of a plan to make the area's economy stronger. This plan focused on downtown areas, old neighborhoods, and the natural beauty of the Raritan Bayshore.

History of Atlantic Highlands
Geography and Climate
Community Life
- Sports and Recreation
- Arts and Culture
Getting Around Atlantic Highlands
- Roads and Highways
- Public Transportation
Education in Atlantic Highlands
Notable People from Atlantic Highlands
Images for kids
See also

History of Atlantic Highlands

Atlantic Highlands as seen from Sandy Hook, New Jersey

The town is located where the Atlantic Ocean and Raritan Bay meet at Sandy Hook. Its hills are the highest point on the eastern U.S. coast south of Maine.

For many years, the Lenape people lived here. They lived along the cliffs and creeks of Atlantic Highlands. The Lenape traded with European settlers. They sold land that became known as Portland Poynt. In 1667, this area was divided into 10 lots. These were the first European homes in what is now Atlantic Highlands.

The first Assembly of New Jersey met here in 1667. During the American Revolutionary War, British loyalists and American patriots fought many times. British troops passed through here after losing the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.

In the late 1800s, many farms were sold to developers. They built homes and resorts, creating the Victorian style of the borough. This brought many visitors and new residents.

In 1879, a surveyor planned roads and lots for a new community. The Atlantic Highlands Association was formed by members of the Methodist Church. This group helped develop the town.

People from New York City came to camp along the water. An outdoor theater was built for performances. An indoor auditorium was also built for visitors. In 1887, Atlantic Highlands officially became a borough. It covered about 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) of land by the Raritan Bay.

A lot of building happened from the 1880s to 1900. Hotels, cottages, and homes were built. A long pier was constructed for steamboats from New York City. The town grew quickly over the next 20 years. A water and sewer system was put in, and roads were finished. A fire department was also started during this time.

Several churches began in the 1880s. These included Central Baptist, First Presbyterian, Saint Agnes Roman Catholic, First Methodist, and Saint Paul Baptist Church.

Atlantic Highlands was a place where people illegally brought alcohol during the Prohibition era. This was known as rum-running.

Steamboat service was very important for the town's growth. It continued until the 1940s. In the 1890s, trains also came to Atlantic Highlands. This made it easier for vacationers to visit. By the 1920s, 26 passenger trains passed through daily. The Central Railroad of New Jersey built a large pier. Trains could go to the end of the pier to meet steamboats. From the 1910s to the 1940s, steamers like the Sandy Hook brought people to Atlantic Highlands.

You can see the Manhattan skyline from the town's hills and shoreline. Boats for fun, fishing, and commuting use its harbor. The town's harbor was built from 1938 to 1940. It is the largest on the East Coast, holding 715 boats. High-speed ferry service to New York City started in 1986. In 1966, the old railroad pier burned down. Its path is now used by the Henry Hudson Trail.

The small bungalows on the East Side, once summer homes, are now lived in all year. Portland Pointe is a five-story building that provides housing for older people.

Geography and Climate

Atlantic Highlands covers about 4.56 square miles (11.82 km2). About 1.26 square miles (3.27 km2) is land, and 3.30 square miles (8.54 km2) is water.

The town shares borders with Highlands and Middletown Township.

Smaller areas within the borough include Brevent Park, Hillside, and Hilton Park.

Atlantic Highlands has a warm, humid climate. Average monthly temperatures range from 32.6°F (0.3°C) in January to 75.9°F (24.4°C) in July.

Community Life

Sports and Recreation

The Atlantic Highlands Recreation Committee organizes many events. They have a Summer Concert Series at the harbor. They also offer youth sports like basketball in winter and soccer in fall.

Atlantic Highlands has a large park system. There are eight town parks and two county parks. One big park is Lenape Woods. It has about 51 acres (210,000 m2) of woodlands and wetlands. Many volunteers help take care of the woods.

Monmouth County runs two parks here. The Henry Hudson Trail is a 9-mile (14 km) path for walking and biking. It connects to Highlands. Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook is about 266 feet (81 m) high. It offers amazing views of Sandy Hook, Sandy Hook Bay, and the New York skyline. This 12-acre (4.9 ha) park also has Monmouth County's 9/11 Memorial.

Arts and Culture

You can learn about the town's past at the Strauss Mansion Museum. There is also a local maritime museum. You can find places to stay at inns and cottages, like the Blue Bay Inn.

For entertainment, there is the First Avenue Playhouse. It offers dinner theater and puppet shows. The town also has a yacht club, marina, and charter boats for fishing. You can find gift shops, art galleries, and restaurants here too.

Atlantic Highlands also hosts two yearly film festivals. The town is known as an Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment (ACE) Hub. This means it has many arts and cultural activities.

Getting Around Atlantic Highlands

Roads and Highways

Route 36 in Atlantic Highlands

As of 2010, Atlantic Highlands had about 24.59 miles (39.57 km) of roads. Most of these roads are maintained by the town. New Jersey Route 36 is the main highway. The closest major highway is the Garden State Parkway.

Public Transportation

The SeaStreak Ferry stops in Atlantic Highlands. It takes people to Manhattan in New York City every day.

NJ Transit provides local bus service. The 834 bus route serves the area.

Education in Atlantic Highlands

The Atlantic Highlands School District serves students from kindergarten to sixth grade. These students attend Atlantic Highlands Elementary School. In the 2022–23 school year, about 256 students were enrolled.

For grades seven to twelve, students go to Henry Hudson Regional High School. This high school serves students from both Atlantic Highlands and Highlands. In 2022–23, the high school had 296 students.

In September 2023, voters decided to combine the two K–6 districts with the Henry Hudson regional district. This will create one K–12 school district starting in the 2024–25 school year.

Notable People from Atlantic Highlands

Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Atlantic Highlands. Here are a few:

Jeff Anderson (born 1970), an actor known for the movie Clerks.
Donald Brown (born 1987), a football player who played for the Indianapolis Colts.
Leonard S. Coleman Jr. (born 1949), a former president of the National League in baseball.
Steve Corodemus (born 1952), a politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly.
Steven Gluckstein (born 1990), an athlete who competes in trampoline.
Emerson Hart (born 1969), the lead singer of the band Tonic.
Knowshon Moreno (born 1987), a football player who played for the Denver Broncos.
Jerry Vasto (born 1992), a former baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies.
Max Weinberg (born 1951), a drummer for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.